TEENS (Teaching, Exercise, Encouragement, Nutrition, Support) was a randomized clinical trial that compared the efficacy of two approaches to involving parents (Parents as Coaches [PAC] and Parent Weight Loss [PWL]) in adolescent weight loss. This 4-month, group-based behavioral lifestyle intervention included nutrition education with dietary goals, physical activity, behavioral support, and coaching. Data collection for this trial is complete and results will be presented soon! Funder: National Institutes of Health
MPI: Melanie Bean, PhD;
Collaborators: Jessica LaRose, PhD; Suzanne Mazzeo, PhD; Edmond Wickham, MD; Ronald Evans, PhD; Laura Caccavale, PhD; Laura Thornton, PhD;

This ancillary NIH-funded R21 leveraged the TEENS trial to determine if family wide-changes were observed in the home environment and untreated family members and if those changes predicted weight management success for the adolescent who participated in TEENS. Other caregivers and siblings in the home did not participate in the TEENS intervention, they only completed assessments. Data collection for this trial is complete and results will be presented soon!
Funder: National Institutes of Health
MPI: Melanie Bean, PhD;
Collaborators: Jessica LaRose, PhD; Hollie Raynor, PhD; Amy Gorin, PhD; Laura Thornton, PhD;

This 2x2 cluster randomized control trial was funded by the National Institutes of Health and conducted in Northern Virginia public schools. The purpose of this was to trial examine the impact of salad bars on dietary consumption at lunch in regards to fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption and waste. Data collection for this trial is complete and results have been shared in several publications.
Funder: National Institutes of Health
MPI: Melanie Bean, PhD;
Collaborators: Lilian de Jonge, PhD; Suzanne Mazzeo, PhD; Laura Thornton, PhD;

Salad Bar Publications

This NIH-funded preliminary clinical research study for adolescents ages 12-16 years with obesity compared two exercise training conditions and their impact on cardiorespiratory fitness, anthropometrics, cardiometabolic risk factors, and exercise perception and engagement. Subjects participated in high intensity interval training (HIIT) or continuous moderate-intensity training (CMIT) for 12-weeks in addition to a lifestyle treatment program. Data collection for this trial is complete and results will be presented soon!
Funder: National Institutes of Health
PI: Edmond Wickham, MD;
Melanie Bean, PhD; Ronald Evans, PhD; Le Kang, PhD;

Funder: National Institutes of Health
MPI: Melanie Bean, PhD;
Collaborators: Jessica LaRose, PhD; Suzanne Mazzeo, PhD; Edmond Wickham, MD; Ronald Evans, PhD;

This investigation, funded by Children’s Hospital Research Insitute, used a mixed-methods approach to evaluate long-term outcomes for adolescents and parents after participating in TEENS+, a family-based behavioral weight loss intervention. Adolescent anthropometric, dietary intake, physical activity, and psychosocial outcomes were assessed 24 months after participation in a structured behavioral weight loss program and a subset of adolescents and parents completed qualitative interviews to understand facilitators and barriers to continued weight management to inform a targeted intervention to optimize this transition.
Funder: Children’s Hospital Research Institute
MPI: Laura Caccavale, PhD;
Collaborators: Melanie Bean, PhD; Jessica LaRose, PhD; Katie Garr; Madison Weinstock; Kristina Tatum; Maria Thomson

SHIFT was an American Diabetes Association funded single-arm pilot investigation of the impact of a multisystem transition preparation intervention for young adults (ages 18-22) with type 1 diabetes. The goal of the trial was to improve diabetes self-management and glycemic control in young adults and prepare them for the transition to adult endocrinology.
MPI: Laura Caccavale, PhD;
Collaborators: Melanie Bean, PhD; Jessica LaRose, PhD; Suzanne Mazzeo, PhD